How to Get Your License Back After a DUI in Alabama

In Alabama, Driving Under the Influence (DUI) describes crimes in which a driver operates a vehicle while intoxicated with alcohol or drugs. Alabama DUI laws impose severe penalties, such as fines, jail terms, mandatory programs, and license suspension. The Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is responsible for revoking the licenses of convicted DUI offenders.

Step 1: Know the Terms of Your Suspension

DUI offenders in Alabama might lose their license after a DUI conviction. The state laws may suspend the offender driver's license for a specific time frame, which is often determined by these factors:

• The number of previous DUI convictions.
• The driver's age.
• Circumstances around the DUI incident, such as loss of life.
• Blood alcohol concentration.
• Vehicle type.

Step 2: Fulfill Court and DMV Requirements

In Alabama, the courts and the ALEA impose penalties and conditions on DUI offenders. The ALEA automatically suspends your license after a DUI arrest. You are generally required to request an administrative hearing to plead your case. The agency sustains the license suspension if the offender is found guilty after the hearing.

On the other hand, the court may impose penalties like fines, suspended licenses, and jail terms on convicted DUI offenders. After a conviction, the court will forward copies of the judgment to agencies that have the capacity to enforce it. For instance, the court will direct the DMV to suspend the license of convicted DUI offenders.

Note that court-imposed license suspension may sometimes not align with that of the ALEA. In such instances, the ALEA's decision takes precedence over the court's decision. This means ALEA's suspension remains in place even if the court dismissed the case or passed a not-guilty verdict.

Step 3: Complete a DUI Education or Treatment Program

Generally, Alabama courts impose DUI treatment programs as part of the penalties for committing a DUI offense. After a DUI conviction, the court may order an offender to first undergo a substance use assessment test through the nearest licensed DUI program provider. Offenders can locate these providers by checking the Alabama Department of Mental Health's online database.

The assessment test will consider the offender's number of DUI convictions and history of drug or alcohol abuse. Based on the test, offenders may complete any of these programs:

• Level 1 DUI education
• Level 2 DUI education.
• Outpatient substance abuse treatment.

First-time DUI offenders are generally required to complete the 12-hour, level 1 DUI education program. However, repeat offenders must complete the 24-hour DUI program. Outpatient substance abuse treatment, however, is reserved for persons with a severe alcohol or drug abuse history.

Licensed DUI program providers may charge different fees for these programs. In most cases, the providers charge more for programs with longer durations.

Step 4: Get SR-22 Insurance or Equivalent

In Alabama, the SR-22 is an insurance certificate that proves you have the minimum required liability coverage. This document is often required when applying for license reinstatement.

To obtain an SR-22, you must purchase the document from insurance companies. The document must provide minimum coverage for the following:

• $25,000 for property damage.
• $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident.
• $25,000 for bodily injury per person.

Alabama state law requires offenders to maintain an SR-22 for at least three years, with the period starting once their license suspension is lifted.

Step 5: Pay Reinstatement Fees

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency charges $275 to reinstate a suspended or revoked driver's license. Offenders will also pay additional costs, such as a $150 fee to install an ignition interlock device during the suspension.

Offenders may opt to pay the reinstatement fee via online or offline options. Offenders using the online option must fill out the required information on the agency's payment portal. Conversely, you can pay the fee by visiting or mailing the agency at this address.

Mailing address:
State Bureau of Investigation
P.O. Box 1511
Montgomery, AL 36102-1511

Physical address:
ALEA Training Center
1005 Charles Byrd Boulevard
Selma, AL.

Note: The agency does not accept personal checks; only money orders, credit cards, and cash are accepted.

Step 6: Submit Your License Reinstatement Application

DUI offenders may submit online or offline applications for license reinstatement. To apply online, you must fill out the required data on the ALEA's online portal. For offline applications, offenders must submit all necessary documents to the ALEA's main office or any of the field offices at:

Mailing address:
State Bureau of Investigation
P.O. Box 1511
Montgomery, AL 36102-1511

Physical address:
ALEA Training Center
1005 Charles Byrd Boulevard
Selma, AL.

Offenders must provide these documents when applying for a license reinstatement:

• A request letter that includes the offender's name, birth date, and driver's license number.
• Proof of financial responsibility.
• Certificate of completion for a court-mandated DUI program.

What If You're Denied License Reinstatement in Alabama?

If the ALEA denies your request, you must first determine the reasons behind the agency's decision. The ALEA may deny reinstatement requests under these conditions:

• The offender has yet to complete the DUI education or treatment program.
• The offender does not have an SR-22 certificate.
• The offender violates the terms of the license suspension.

That being said, you must appeal the denied request by requesting an administrative hearing with the ALEA. The appeal must include the necessary documents to back your claim. An alternative option is to file an appeal with the circuit court. Offenders often use this option when the administrative hearing does not reinstate their license.

Hardship Licenses: Driving with Limited Privileges

In Alabama, DUI offenders are not eligible for a hardship driver's license. However, they can apply for an Ignition Interlock Restricted Driver's License (IIRDL). The license lets you drive to specific locations while your driver's license is suspended. For instance, you can use the license to drive to work, school, court-mandated programs, and hospitals.

Per Section AL 32-5A-191, you must install an ignition interlock device before applying for an IIRDL. The state law also requires you to maintain the device while using the IIRDL.

You can apply for an IIRDL by installing an ignition interlock device and paying a $150 fee to the nearest ALEA field office.

How Long Does It Take to Get Your License Back After a DUI?

DUI offenders can get back their license once the license suspension has elapsed. For instance, a first-time DUI offender can reinstate a driver's license after the 90-day license suspension. To reinstate a driver's license in Alabama, offenders must have completed the court-mandated penalties and conditions. They must also provide proof of financial responsibility alongside other necessary documents.